• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.215-224
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• 2017

Arsenic (As) is known to be the most toxic element and frequently detected in groundwater environment. Inorganic As exists as arsenite [As(III)] and arsenate [As(V)] in reduced and oxidized environments, respectively. It has been reported that the toxicity of arsenite is much higher than that of arsenate and furthermore arsenite shows relatively higher mobility in aqueous environments. For this reason, there have been numerous researches on the process for oxidation of arsenite to arsenate to reduce the toxicity of arsenic. In particular, photooxidation has been considered to be simple, economical, and efficient to attain such goal. This study was conducted to evaluate the applicability of naturally-occurring goethite as a photocatalyst to substitute for $TiO_2$ which has been mostly used in the photooxidation processes so far. In addition, the effects of several factors on the overall performance of arsenite photocatalytic oxidation process were evaluated. The results show that the efficiency of the process was affected by total concentration of dissolved cations rather than by the kind of those cations and also the relatively higher pH conditions seemed to be more favorable to the process. In the case of coexistence of arsenite and arsenate, the removal tendency by adsorption onto goethite appeared to be different between arsenite and arsenate due to their different affinities with goethite, but any effect on the photocatalytic oxidation of arsenite was not observed. In terms of effect of humic acid on the process, it is likely that the higher concentration of humic acid reduced the overall performance of the arsenite photocatalytic oxidation as a result of competing interaction of activated oxygen species, such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, with arsenite and humic acid. In addition, it is revealed that the injection of oxygen gas improved the process because oxygen contributes to arsenite oxidation as an electron acceptor. Based on the results of the study, consequently, the photocatalytic oxidation of aqueous arsenite using goethite seems to be greatly feasible with the optimization of process.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.10 no.1_2 s.11
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• pp.10-17
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• 2004

The Doowoo-ri tidal flat in the southwestern Korean coast is a typical open-coast tidal flat which has no barriers in the offshore such as barrier island and sand bars. The difference of induced wave energy with seasons is affected directly on the distribution of surface sediment and the formation of sedimentary structures because the sedimentation by wind wave is relatively much important element in this open-coast tidal flat. This open-coast tidal flat can be classified into tidal beach, intertidal flat and lower mudflat according to the pattern of geomorphology and sediment type. The intertidal flat can be again divided into 3 types: sand flat, mixed flat and mud flat based on the primary sedimentary structure and sand/mud ratio. Doowoori tidal flat shows a seasonal change in the surface sedimentary facies based on sediment composition and primary sedimentary structure. The change is closely related to the direction and magnitude of monsoon wind and also to storm frequency. In winter and spring, when northwesterly wind is most dominant and strong and also storms are common, sand-flat facies is largely distributed on the intertidal flat, whereas mud-flat facies is most dominant during summer when weak southeasterly wind is common. In the fall season, mixed-flat facies is dominant on the flat. The Doowoori intertidal flat is covered by mud sediment which is ca. 20 cm in thickness in summer season. In winter season, surface sediment is changed from mud to sand because the summer mud is mostly eroded by strong wave action. Can-core peels in the intertidal flat show that parallel laminated mud or sand/mud and climbing ripple cross-laminated sandy silt are dominant on the upper intertidal flat $(0-1.3 {\cal}km)$ during summer season. On the other hand, on lower intertidal flat $(1.7-2.3 {\cal}km)$, dominant sedimentary facies is homogeneous mud. In winter, it is changed into parallel laminated and ripple cross-laminated sand facies.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.4 s.173
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• pp.435-450
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• 2005

The purpose of the study is to analyze the hydrogeochemical characteristics by multivariate statistical method, to interpret the hydrogeochemical processes for the new variables calculated from principal components analysis (PCA), and to infer the groundwater flow and circulation mechanism by applying the geostatistical methods for each element and principal component. Chloride and nitrate are the most influencing components for groundwater quality, and the contents of $NO_3$ increased by the input of agricultural activities show the largest variation. The results of PCA, a multivariate statistical method, show that the first three principal components explain $73.9\%$ of the total variance. PC1 indicates the increase of dissolved ions, PC2 is related with the dissolution of carbonate minerals and nitrate contamination, and PC3 shows the effect of cation exchange process and silicate mineral dissolution. From the results of experimental semivariogram, the components of groundwater are divided into two groups: one group includes electrical conductivity (EC), Cl, Na, and $NO_3$, and the other includes $HCO_3,\;SiO_2,$ Ca, and Sr. The results for spatial distribution of groundwater components showed that EC, Cl, and Na increased with approaching the coastal line and nitrate has close relationship with the presence of agricultural land. These components are also correlated with the topographic features reflecting the groundwater recharge effect. The kriging analysis by using principal components shows that PC 1 has the different spatial distribution of Cl, Na, and EC, possibly due to the influence of pH, Ca, Sr, and $HCO_3$ for PC1. It was considered that the linear anomaly zone of PC2 in western area was caused by the dissolution of carbonate mineral. Consequently, the application of multivariate and geostatistical methods for groundwater in the study area is very useful for determining the quantitative analysis of water quality data and the characteristics of spatial distribution.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.57-65
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• 2016

Maeul-soop(Village forest) is a key element of Korean traditional village landscape historically and culturally. However, a number of Maeul-soops have been lost or declined due to various influences since the modern age. For this Maeul-soop that has a variety of conservation values including historical, cultural and ecological ones, attention and efforts for a systematic conservation and restoration of Maeul-soop are needed. The purpose of the present study is to provide information on ecological restoration and sustainable use and management of Maeul-soops based on component plant species, habitat and location characteristics of 499 Maeul-soops spread throughout Korea. Major six categories of threat factors to Maeul-soop ecosystem were identified and the influence of each factor was evaluated. For the evaluation of weight by threat factors for the influence on the vulnerability of Maeul-soop ecosystem, more three-dimensional analysis was conducted using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis method. In the results of evaluation using AHP analysis method, reduction of area, among six categories, was spotted as the biggest threat to existence of Maeul-soops. Next, changes in topography and soil environment were considered as a threat factor of qualitative changes in Maeul-soop ecosystem. Influence of vegetation structure and its qualitative changes on the loss or decline of Masul-soop was evaluated to be lower than that of changes in habitat. Based on weight of each factor, the figures were converted with 100 points being the highest score and the evaluation of vulnerability of Maeul-soop was conducted with the converted figures. In the result of evaluation of vulnerability of Maeul-soops, grade III showed the highest frequency and a normal distribution was formed from low grade to high grade. 38 Maeul-soops were evaluated as grade I which showed high naturality and 10 Maeul-soops were evaluated as grade V as their maintenance was threatened. Also in the results of evaluation of vulnerability of each Maeul-soop, restoration of Maeul-soop's own area was found as top priority to guarantee the sustainability of Maeul-soops. It was confirmed that there was a need to prepare a national level ecological response strategy for each vulnerability factor of Maeul-soop, which was important national ecological resources.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.157-167
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• 2021

Lead (Pb) is one of the key trace elements, exhibiting a peculiar partitioning behavior into silicate melts in contact with minerals. Partitioning behaviors of Pb between silicate mineral and melt have been known to depend on melt composition and thus, the atomic structures of corresponding silicate liquids. Despite the importance, detailed structural studies of Pb-bearing silicate melts are still lacking due to experimental difficulties. Here, we explored the effect of lead content on the atomic structures, particularly the evolution of silicate networks in Pb-bearing sodium metasilicate ([(PbO)_x(Na₂O)_1-x]·SiO₂) glasses as a model system for trace metal bearing natural silicate melts, using ²⁹Si solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. As the PbO content increases, the ²⁹Si peak widths increase, and the maximum peak positions shift from -76.2, -77.8, -80.3, -81.5, -84.6, to -87.7 ppm with increasing PbO contents of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.67, 0.86, and 1, respectively. The ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectra for the glasses were simulated with Gaussian functions for Qⁿ species (SiO₄ tetrahedra with n BOs) for providing quantitative resolution. The simulation results reveal the evolution of each Qⁿ species with varying PbO content. Na-endmember Na₂SiO₃ glass consists of predominant Q² species together with equal proportions of Q¹ and Q³. As Pb replaces Na, the fraction of Q² species tends to decrease, while those for Q¹ and Q³ species increase indicating an increase in disproportionation among Qⁿ species. Simulation results on the ²⁹Si NMR spectrum showed increases in structural disorder and chemical disorder as evidenced by an increase in disproportionation factor with an increase in average cation field strengths of the network modifying cations. Changes in the topological and configurational disorder of the model silicate melt by Pb imply an intrinsic origin of macroscopic properties such as element partitioning behavior.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.22-35
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• 2021

Recently, as the climate changes rapidly and the prevalence of airborne fine particulate matter increases, the pattern of pollutants in the atmospheric environment is also changing. Therefore, the importance of studying the stability of pigments used in colored cultural properties is emerging. Hoecheong is an inorganic blue glass pigment called smalt; it is made by using cobalt as a coloring element in potash glass, and was widely used in colored cultural assets, such as murals and paintings. In this study, we collected three other hoecheong pigments to analyze their properties. The percentage of Co and K contained are different according to the manufacturer, and the smalt-3 sample has a lower cobalt content (15.1 wt.%) and higher potassium content (29.6 wt.%). After this analysis, colored specimens were prepared. Prepared specimens were exposed to ultra-violet rays, CO₂/NO₂, and NaCl, which are known to have the greatest influence on the stability of pigments. We found that factors affecting the color stability were NO₂ gas, ultra-violet rays, and water-soluble salts (NaCl). Among them, NO₂ has the most severe impact on color change of the pigments. Results of the component analysis showed that the color change depends on the potassium and cobalt content of the hoecheong pigment. Among the specimens, smalt-3 showed the most vulnerability after exposure to NO₂ gas and water-soluble salts. Pigment film stability is affected by watersoluble salts, giving rise not only to color change, but also weakening the physical properties of the film. However, there was no significant change in composition and color after exposure to CO₂ gas. In conclusion, we found that hoecheong pigments underwent color change and increased instability of the coating film when exposed to any of the atmospheric environmental factors used in this study, except for CO₂.

• Journal of the Korean GEO-environmental Society
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.13-21
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• 2019

There are many cuts or natural rock slopes that remain stable for a long time in the natural environment with steep slopes ($65^{\circ}$ to $85^{\circ}$). In terms of design practice, the rock mass consisting of similar rock condition and geological structures is defined as a good continuum rock slope, and during the process of decision making angle of this rock slope, it will be important to establish the geotechnical properties estimating method of the continuum rock on the process of stability analysis in the early stages of design and construction. In this study, the stability analysis of a good continuum rock slope that can be designed as a steep slope proposed a practical method of estimating the shear strength by induced from the Hoek-Brown failure criterion, and in addition, the design applicability was evaluated through the stability analysis of steep rock slope. The existing method of estimating the shear strength was inadequate for practical use in the design, as the equivalent M-C shear strength corresponding to the H-B envelope changes sensitively, even with small variations in confining stress. To compensate for this problem, it was proposed to estimate equivalent M-C shear strength by iso-angle division method. To verify the design applicability of the iso-angle division method, the results of the safety factor and the displacement according to the change in angle of the cut slope constructed at the existing working design site were reviewed. The safety factor is FS=16~59 on the 1:0.5 slope, FS=12~52 on the 1:0.3 slope, most of which show a 10~12 percent reduction. Displacement is 0.126 to 0.975 mm on the 1:0.5 slope, 0.152 to 1.158 mm on the 1:0.3 slope, and represents an increase of 10 to 15%. This is a slightly change in normal proportion and is in good condition in terms of stability. In terms practical the working design, it was confirmed that applying the shear strength estimated by Iso-angle division method derived from the H-B failure criterion as a universal shear strength for a good continuum rock mass slope was also able to produce stable and economic results. The procedure for stability analysis using LEM (Limit Equilibrium Analysis Method) and FEM (Finite Element Analysis Method) will also be practical in the rock slope where is not distributed fault. The study was conducted by selecting the slope of study area as a good rock condition, establishing a verification for which it can be applied universal to a various rock conditions will be a research subject later on.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.604-617
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• 2018

As the depletion of forests became more widespread due to the increase in the number of roads, the research was conducted on the relationship between temperature and humidity in the forests, assuming that the forests around the roads were affected. Through the forest monitoring, the temperature and humidity of coniferous forests and broadleaf forests in Sedong and Gongju areas were observed at three point of 10m, 20m and 30m from the road boundary to the inside of the forest, respectively. In Yeongdong area, for more reliable results, it was observed from the point of 0m, 10m, and 20m. During the study period, so it was expected the change in tree growth was small, the change of temperature and humidity inside the forest by the road was compared with the temperature and humidity from the road to the inside of the forest from September 2017 to January 2018, the changes of temperature and humidity inside the forest due to linear development such as roads were quantitatively analyzed. Using the HOBO data logger (MX2301, Onset Corp.), the temperature and humidity changes of each site were measured, and the average of the changes have been analyzed monthly. In the case of Gongju coniferous forests in September 2017, the average weekly temperature is $0.57^{\circ}C$ higher than the forest outside from the forest boundary and $1.23^{\circ}C$ higher than the inside of the forest, at night in November 2017, in Sedong broadleaf forests. That is, the ability to control the temperature and humidity of the forests along the road was larger and less variable as the distance from the road boundary to the inside of the forest increased. In this study, it is considered that the high degree of change in temperature and humidity of the forest and the surrounding area due to artificial linear development such as roads will affect the growth of trees. This results could serve as a basis for studying the quantitative scope of linear development affecting forest growth and for managing forest change caused by linear development.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.565-573
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• 2022

Gingival inflammation is one of the main causes that can be related to various periodontal diseases. Human gingival fibroblast (HGF) is the major constituent in periodontal connective tissue and secretes various inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. This study is aimed at investigating the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of Lotus Root extract (LRE) in Porphyromonas gingivalis derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS-PG)-stimulated HGF-1 cells. The concentration of NO and PGE₂, as well as their responsible enzymes, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), was analyzed by Griess reaction, ELISA, and western blot analysis. LPS-PG sharply elevated the production and protein expression of inflammatory mediators, which were significantly attenuated by LRE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. LRE treatment also suppressed activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in LPS-PG-stimulated HGF-1 cells. In addition, one of phase II enzyme, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase (NQO)-1, and its transcription factor, Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), were significantly induced by LRE treatment. Consequently, these results suggest that LRE ameliorates LPS-PG-induced inflammatory responses by attenuating TLR4/MyD88-mediated NF-κB, and activating NQO-1/Nrf2 antioxidant response element signaling pathways in HGF-1 cells.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.551-561
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• 2022

Geophysical exploration methods are very useful for generating high-resolution images of underground structures, and such methods can be applied to investigation of buried cultural properties and for determining their exact locations. In this study, image feature extraction and image segmentation methods were applied to automatically distinguish the structures of buried relics from the high-resolution ground-penetrating radar (GPR) images obtained at the center of Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju, South Korea. The major purpose for image feature extraction analyses is identifying the circular features from building remains and the linear features from ancient roads and fences. Feature extraction is implemented by applying the Canny edge detection and Hough transform algorithms. We applied the Hough transforms to the edge image resulted from the Canny algorithm in order to determine the locations the target features. However, the Hough transform requires different parameter settings for each survey sector. As for image segmentation, we applied the connected element labeling algorithm and object-based image analysis using Orfeo Toolbox (OTB) in QGIS. The connected components labeled image shows the signals associated with the target buried relics are effectively connected and labeled. However, we often find multiple labels are assigned to a single structure on the given GPR data. Object-based image analysis was conducted by using a Large-Scale Mean-Shift (LSMS) image segmentation. In this analysis, a vector layer containing pixel values for each segmented polygon was estimated first and then used to build a train-validation dataset by assigning the polygons to one class associated with the buried relics and another class for the background field. With the Random Forest Classifier, we find that the polygons on the LSMS image segmentation layer can be successfully classified into the polygons of the buried relics and those of the background. Thus, we propose that these automatic classification methods applied to the GPR images of buried cultural heritage in this study can be useful to obtain consistent analyses results for planning excavation processes.